Automatic pump-regulator



J. 0. STERNS. AUTOMATIC PUMP REGULATOR.

Patented Nov. 10, 1896.

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(N9 Model.)

u'ma, vusmmnuu u c M J n b r n u pipe through which the water flows tothe dia- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JULIUS O. STERNS, OF BUFFALO, NElV YORK.

AUTOMATIC PUMP-REGULATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 570,968, dated November10, 1896. Application filed July 15,1895. Serial No. 555,944. (Nomodel.)

To ctZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JULIUS O. STERNS, a citizen of the United States,residing in Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in AutomaticPump-Regulators, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improved pumpregulator for hydraulicelevators, and Will be fully and clearly hereinafter described andclaimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in whichFigure 1 represents a vertical central section through the upperwater-reservoir that supplies the elevator, showing also a portion ofthe water-supply pipe, a part of the overflow-pipe, a portion of thepipe for conducting water to the elevator, and a portion of the phragm.Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the pump, showing also the undergoundtankpipe, a portion of the water-supply pipe, the exhaust-pipe, andsteam-supply pipe from the boiler for operating the pump, showing also aside elevation of the diaphragm and its pipe connections. Fig. 3represents a vertical central section through the diaphragm, its valve,and a portion of the steam-pipe.

The object of my invention is to provide the means for automaticallysupplying water to a reservoir located in the upper part or top of abuilding as fast as it is drawn therefrom for operating the elevator.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 1 represents the water-reservoirfor supplying water to operate the elevator or for any other purpose forwhich a regulated supply of water is required. It is preferably locatedon the top floor or roof of a building and is provided with anoverflow-pipe 2 for preventing the water from rising too high or fromflowing over the top of the reservoir, and is adapted for conveying theoverflow-water either back into the lower supply-tank or to any suitableoutlet.

The water-regulating pipe 3 passes from the outside side of thereservoir 1 to the inside and is provided with a cover 4 of finewire-netting to prevent dirt or other foreign matter from passing intothe pipe. It is located at a suitable point below the opening for theoverflow-pipe 2 or at or about the level of the dotted lines 5. ThisWater-regulating supply-pipe is a small pipe and connects with thediaphragm-cover 6 by a branch pipe 6. (See Figs. 2 and 3.)

The diaphragm supporting orholding frame consists of the metallicsupporting frame portions 7 and 7 and the cover 6, having flange or rim6.

The diaphragm itself is preferably constructed of rubber 8, (see Fig.3,) having a disk 9 of Wood, with a sheet of flannel 9 interposedbetween the rubber 8 and the wooden disk 9.

The rubber diaphragm S is secured in place preferably on a ring orgasket 10 of any suitable material. (See Fig. 3.) The cover beingrigidly secured in place by screws 11 seals the diaphragm rigidly inposition steam or gas tight.

To theuuder side of the Wooden disk 9 is secured by a screw portion thevalve-stein 12. This valve-stem 12 extends down through a stuffing-box13 into the valve-case 13 and is provided with a valve 14:, adapted tosit steamtight, or substantially so, on the valve-seat 15, as shown bythe dotted lines 15 in said Fig. v

The diaphragm-frame is secured by the stuffing-box 13 to the valve-case13,and to the valve-case is secured a steam-pipe 16, provided with theusual throttle-valve 16. The steam-pipe 16 connects with a steam-boilerof any well-known construction, With the portion 16 and With asteam-pump 17 at the end 16 The steam-pun] p may be a steam-pump of anywell-known construction adapted for pumping water. The pump is providedwith a discharge or water-supply pipe 18 for forcing the water up intothe reservoir 1 and with the usual exhaust-pipe 19 and valve 20.

21 represents the suction or supply pipe connected With the pump andwith an underground reservoir or any suitable source of water supply.

22 is the pipe connected with the elevator in the well-known way forsupplying Water to operate it.

The pipe 3 is provided with a valve 23 for supplying water to operatethe diaphragm. It is also provided With avalve 24 for shutting off orregulating the flow of water from the pipe 3, the object of which willappear farther on.

The operation of the device is as follows: When the elevator is started,the Water required to operate it is drawn from the reservoir through thepipe 22, which operation lowers the level of the water in the reservoir1, and when it goes down below the top of the pipe 3 or the dotted line5, for instance, the supply of water flowing down through the pipe 3ceases. Consequently, the diaphragm being relieved from the pressure ofwater on its upper side, the steam-pressure acts and opens the valve 14,thereby admitting steam from the boiler to the pump and operating it,whereby water is pumped up through the pipe 18, and when the level ofthe water in the reservoir 1 is raised above the top of the pipe 3 ordotted line 5 water immediately begins to flow down through said pipe 3,and, the valve 24 being closed to adjust the outlet so that the supplyof water at the top of the pipe 3 is greater than the outlet at thelower end of said pipe, a pressure of wateris exerted on the diaphragm 8through the branch pipe G (according to said ad justment) sufficient tocause it to overcome the pressure of the steam against the valve 14, andconsequently close said valve, thereby shutting off steam from the pumpand stop ping its operation, which operation, as above described, isrepeated every time the elevator is used.

It will be noticed that by adjusting the outlet of water by the valve2st the pressure of water on the diaphragm may be regulated more orless, or it may be taken entirely off from said diaphragm by turning thevalve 24 entirely open, so that the outlet for the water is equal to theinlet.

I claim as my invention with said pipe by a horizontal branch pipeconnected above the diaphragm at the top of the diaphragm-case, avalve-stem centrally connected to the diaphragm and extending downthrough a stuffing-box into a valvechamber, a steam-valve attached tothelower end of the valve-stem adapted to be forced down and close thevalve by the pressure of water on top of the diaphragm and valvestem,and to be opened by the pressure of steam lifting the valve, valve-stemand dia ahra 'm when the )ressure of water on to 3 l s of the diaphragmis released, whereby, when the Water is at its normal level in the upperreservoir, the water flowing down said pipe being restricted at itsoutlet will exert sufficient pressure on the top side of the diaphragmto close the steam-valve against the pressure of the steam and stop thepump, and when below its normal level it will flow out of said pipe andrelieve the diaphragm from pressure, thereby allowing the steam-pressureto force the valve and diaphragm upward, thus opening the valve andoperating the pump until the water reaches its level again,substantially as described.

JULIUS G. STERNS. lVitnesses JAMES SANosTER, A. J. SANesTnR.

